Microsoft and security are usually mentioned together in a negative light, but in recent years the company has been working hard to better protect Windows users. Now that same protection is set to be offered for the Mac.

As The Verge reports, the business-focused version of Windows Defender (known as Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)), is being rolled out to macOS users. As it's not running on Windows, Microsoft decided a name change was in order, so the security software will be known as Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP).

Windows Defender started life as an anti-spyware solution for Windows XP you could download before it became a permanent part of Windows Vista and Windows 7. For Windows 8, Microsoft developed it into a full antivirus solution where it replaced Microsoft Security Essentials. Today, it helps protect Windows 10 as Windows Defender Antivirus.

Microsoft Defender ATP exists because Microsoft realized organizations operate a whole range of devices and not all of them run Windows. By supporting Defender on macOS, it allows a business to still decide to use Microsoft's security tools without the hassle of integrating some other security software just for Macs.

Microsoft Defender ATP runs on macOS Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra, with updates managed through Microsoft's AutoUpdate software. It offers real-time protection, quick and full system scans, and allows you to quarantine, remove, or allow detected threats as is typical of any security package.

For now, Microsoft Defender ATP is being offered as a limited preview while Microsoft continues to work out the kinks. It's unclear if Microsoft also intends to bring the non-ATP version to macOS for consumers.